The top 16 finishers from the 2023 World Baseball Classic have automatic berths in the 2026 WBC. The other four spots will be determined through qualifier tournaments.

First Round Pool Play

(Two Two From Each Pool Advance)

Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico) March 6-11, 2026

Puerto Rico
Cuba
Canada
Panama
Qualifier

Pool B (Houston, Texas) March 6-11, 2026

United States
Mexico
Italy
Great Britain
Qualifier

Pool C (Tokyo, Japan) March 5-10, 2026

Japan
Australia
Korea
Czech Republic
Qualifier

Pool D (Miami, Fla.) March 6-11, 2026

Venezuela
Dominican Republic
Netherlands
Israel
Qualifier

Quarterfinal Round

Pool A Vs. Pool B (Houston, Texas) March 14, 2026

Pool A Runner-Up vs. Pool B Winner
Pool A Winner vs. Pool B Runner-Up

Pool C vs. Pool D (Miami, Fla.) March 14, 2026

Pool C Runner-Up vs. Pool D Winner
Pool C Winner vs. Pool D Runner-Up

Semifinals (Miami, Fla.)

March 15, 2026: Pairings to be determined
March 16, 2026: Pairings to be determined

Championship (Miami, Fla.)

March 17, 2026: Winners of semifinal games

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The gold medal is the seventh straight that Team USA’s 18U team has won in World Cup Qualifiers and capped a perfect 8-0 run for the team with a combined run differential of 58-9 in that stretch. 

The gold medal finish secures a spot for Team USA in the 2025 WBSC U-18 World Cup. Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico also qualified for the World Cup at this event.

Shortstop Kayson Cunningham was named the MVP of the tournament after leading the team with 10 hits and driving in 12 runs and slashed .417/.483/.542 with three doubles, three walks and just one strikeout. Cunningham was named to the all-tournament team alongside outfielder Slater De Brun and second baseman Grady Emerson. 

De Brun hit .429/.636/.429 with three walks, no strikeouts and three stolen bases while Emerson hit .381/.417/.381 with two walks, two strikeouts and two stolen bases.

Cunningham and De Brun each managed a tournament OPS over 1.000, though it was first baseman and three-hole hitter Gavin Fien who led Team USA in OPS with a 1.109 OPS and tallied three doubles and a pair of triples. 

It wasn’t a home run derby for the Americans, as the team didn’t manage a single home run, though they did collectively walk (33) more than they struck out (29) and hit .280/.360/.398 as a team. 

Righthander Nico Partida and lefthander Aiden Stillman both started multiple games for Team USA without allowing a run. Partida struck out 12 over eight innings with four walks and just one hit (a single) allowed, while Stillman struck out five over eight innings with just one walk and a pair of hits (both singles) in his time on the mound. 

Righthander Josh Hammond started the gold medal game for Team USA and worked three innings with one earned run, four hits, two strikeouts and a walk. Cumulatively the Team USA pitching staff managed a 1.08 ERA in 52 innings with 57 strikeouts and 29 walks.  

Partida and righthander Josh Owens were both key two-way players for Team USA. Owens pitched eight shutout innings out of the bullpen across two appearances while tallying a pair of hits—including a key bunt single in the gold medal game—in eight at-bats while Partida went 4-for-13 (.308) with three runs and an RBI.

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On Saturday, the champs showed that they aren’t going anywhere. Madonna Japan knocked off Team USA 11-6 to win its seventh consecutive Women’s World Cup. The streak, which stretches back to 2008, has gone on so long that multiple generations of players have played a role.

Japan’s 39-game international winning streak was halted by an eighth-inning Team USA win on Thursday. But that was in a game where both teams had already clinched spots in the gold medal game.

With a title on the line, Japan jumped out to an early lead and just kept adding to it.

Japan got a home run from first baseman Yuki Kawabata in a four-run third against Team USA starter Jillian Alabayati. Japan took advantage of Kelsie Whitmore’s wildness in a relief appearance in the fourth for three more runs.

And a Miu Shiraishi RBI single, a Nanako Hanabusa RBI single and an Iori Miura fielder’s choice widened the lead further in the fifth. 

Team USA had allowed just 10 runs in 10 games between the World Cup qualifier and round robin play. But Japan’s lineup was filled with patient contact hitters who also extremely adept bunters. And they were relentless.

An Alex Hugo three-run home run to straight center field did cut the lead in the fifth. But Akino Tanaka kept Team USA off the scoreboard in the seventh, with veteran catcher Nanako Hanausa catching a foul ball to set off a championship-clinching celebration.

Why is Japan so dominant in women’s baseball? Because they encourage girls and women to play the sport.. High school girls baseball is popular in Japan, and multiple NPB teams have women’s teams as well, which means playing pro baseball is a viable option.

It shows on the field. Japan played a very polished, relentless approach.

But even with a five-run loss in the gold medal game, Team USA showed it’s narrowing the gap. The majority of the team was born in the 21st century, including 17-year-old first baseman Naomi Ryan, who batted in the middle of the lineup all week. Remi Schaber, one of the best hitters in the tournament, is 21. Pitcher/outfielder Olivia Pichardo is 20.

Canada beat Mexico 4-2 to win the bronze medal.

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In the past six Women’s World Cups, Madonna Japan has won the gold medal. But when Japan and Team USA face off this time, Team USA looks to have its best chance of upending the world order.

Japan had won 39 consecutive games before Team USA beat them 4-3 on Thursday. 

If Japan comes back to win on Saturday, that loss will be a blip. Both teams had already clinched spots in the gold medal game before they played. A win for Japan will be its seven consecutive gold medal. Team USA won the first two Women’s World Cups in 2004 and 2006, but Japan has won every World Cup since.

But if Team USA does pull off a win today at 3 p.m. ET, it will have made a convincing case that for the first time in two decades, women’s baseball supremacy resides in the United States.

Team USA rolled through round-robin play with a 5-0 record. That comes after Team USA outscored its opponents 71-2 during a 5-0 run through last year’s World Cup Qualifier.

For anyone wanting to watch, the game will be streamed for free at MLB.com and on MLB.tv.

There already has been a changing of the guard of sorts for Team Japan. Ayami Sato, the most dominant pitcher in women’s international baseball history, made the start in the final game of the round-robin series against Team USA. After going five innings just two days ago, it’s unlikely she can be used extensively on Saturday.

Team USA has a deep lineup. Jillian Albayati hit a three-run home run off Sato on Thursday, which was the first home run Sato had ever allowed in 70 innings of World Cup play.

Albayati will be on the mound facing Miyu Simizu in the championship game. Albayati has thrown 1.2 scoreless innings in relief during the tournament. Shimizu is 0-0, 3.71, having allowed three runs in 5.2 innings in a start earlier in the tournament.

Mexico will face Canada in the bronze medal game today as well.

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It’s been six long years since the last Women’s World Cup. Japan won its sixth consecutive World Cup in 2018, but the following championship, the event was delayed and eventually canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, the tournament has returned to a traditional Canadian host in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The storyline remains consistent to what was true in 2018: Can Japan continue its complete dominance of women’s baseball or is this the year the U.S. can win its first World Cup since 2006?

There have been eight Women’s World Cup tournaments. Japan has won the past six and finished second the other two times.

If the qualifying tournaments are any indication, Japan and Team USA are headed towards a showdown. In the Group A qualifier, the U.S. went 5-0 while out-scoring its opponents 71-2. Japan also went 5-0 in its Group B qualifier with a +34 run differential.

Because it has been six years since the last World Cup, there has been something of a changing of the guard. Veronica Alvarez, a coach on the 2018 team, is now Team USA’s manager. She’s joined on the coaching staff by Malaika Underwood, who was a player on the majority of Team USA World Cup teams.

Outfielder/righthander Kelsie Whitmore, catcher Anna Kimbrell, righthander Maggie Meidlinger and catcher Anna Kimbrell are now experienced vets on the U.S. team.

The best women’s player in the world over the past decade, Japan ace Ayami Sato, is back. Sato is 11-0 with a 0.64 ERA in 65 innings of international play over 29 appearances. She went 3-0, 0.37 in the 2018 World Cup over three starts.

There will be five days of pool play to determine which teams advance to the gold medal and bronze medal games, which are set for Aug. 3.

Determining a champion is important, but more than anything women’s baseball needs the return of this event. It’s been too long since the best in the world got onto the field to face off. The wait is finally over.

“In 2019, we were ready to select a team for the 2020 World Cup. The pandemic canceled everything. We didn’t have a chance to play in WBSC events until last year’s group stage,” Team USA manager Veronica Alvarez said at the tournament’s opening press conference.

The post Women’s Baseball World Cup Set To Begin After Six Year Layoff appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.

Now, we’ll go a bit further. Below, we’ll call out a few players whose tools stuck out without necessarily showing up in the box score.

The post Five More DSL Prospects Who Have Our Attention appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.

The game finished in a 2-2 tie. Afterward, Toronto’s Ramon Suarez and Texas’ Paulino Santana were named the game’s most valuable pitcher and hitter, respectively. The former struck out the side in his inning. The latter went 2-for-3 before yielding to Ramiro Dominguez (Twins) in the seventh inning.

The Brewers’ Luis Peña provided the home crowd a jolt when he swatted the game’s only home run.

Here are some of the players who stood out during the game for their superlative tools.

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The rosters also include a dozen of the top 50 bonus recipients from the international signing period which opened on Jan. 15, 2024. Below, find scouting reports for those 12 players as well as complete rosters for the game.

2024 Dominican Summer League Rosters

• American League roster
• National League roster

The list also includes several players highlighted in Ben Badler’s feature on 30 players in the league who’ve shown strong performance over the first half of the season.

Last year’s version included plenty of prospects whose stock has risen in 2024, including Eduardo Quintero (Dodgers), Yophery Rodriguez (Brewers), Alfredo Duno (Reds), Starlyn Caba (Phillies) and Jeter Martinez (Mariners).

Prospects Worth Keeping An Eye On

Joswa Lugo, SS, Angels: The younger brother of former big leaguer Dawel Lugo, Joswa is a power hitter who can crush fastballs. He could have plus power once he reaches physical maturity. If he can fulfill that potential, he would have the skills to profile at third base if he one days moves to that position.

Emil Morales, SS, Dodgers: Morales earned the top bonus in Los Angeles’ most recent international class. The 17-year-old has a sound approach at the plate and has shown impressive power that has helped him post two multi-homer games already. He’s got seven longballs on the year.

Angel Feliz, SS, Nationals: Feliz got one of the two seven-figure bonuses awarded by the Nationals to open the most recent international signing period. The shortstop has a projectable body and has long shown an ability to hit fastballs. He has already posted a 90th percentile exit velocity of roughly 101 mph and a max north of 106 mph.

Leonardo Pineda, OF, Rays: Pineda received the top bonus in the Rays’ most recent international signing class. He was attractive as an amateur thanks to a compact frame that produces premium power and high-end bat speed. He finished the first half of the season with a home run, a triple and eight doubles.

Eduardo Beltre, OF, Twins: Beltre earned a bonus of nearly $1.5 million as one of the crown jewels of Minnesota’s 2024-25 international signing class. The outfielder has a chance for above-average raw power and closed the first half with 14 strikeouts in 88 plate appearances, good for a rate of roughly 16%. He also has four home runs 22 games.

Ashly Andujar, SS, Rockies: Andujar was the top signing in Colorado’s most recent international class. He’ll still be 16 years old at the time of the all-star game. Despite his youth, Andujar has already shown off in the league. He has seven doubles, a triple and nine stolen bases in 13 chances.

Paulino Santana, OF, Rangers: Santana was Texas’ highest-profile signing in the international signing period which opened on Jan. 15, 2024. He has shown excellent bat-to-ball skills early in his career, with zone-miss and chase rates below 16% and an on-base percentage of .458 in the first half. He has also shown plus speed.

Jhonaiker Ugarte, SS, Royals: Ugarte garnered a bonus of $1.4 million once the most recent international signing period opened. He was lauded for his defensive skills at shortstop and offensive skill set that jumped between the beginning of the scouting process and signing day, during which his body took dramatic steps forward. Now there’s more thump behind his contact, which could help him profile if he moves to another defensive spot.

Jesus Made, SS, Brewers: Statistically, Made has been one of the best overall players in the league. His average (.356) and slugging percentage (.606) are each among the top 10 in the league. He’s got above-average athleticism and a strong throwing arm that borders on double-plus. He’s got more walks (20) than strikeouts (18) and 16 stolen bases in 19 chances.

Edward Lantigua, OF, Mets: Lantigua signed with New York this past January for a bonus just shy of $1 million. He has already produced a 90th percentile exit velocity of better than 102 mph. Lantigua racked up seven doubles and seven stolen bases (in nine chances) in 27 first-half games.

Luis Peña, SS, Brewers: Peña has dominated the league all season long. His zone-miss rate is a minuscule 5.5% and his overall miss rate is roughly 16.5%. Those sterling bat-to-ball skills have led to stellar numbers, including a .425/.488/.623 with 10 doubles, four triples and a home run. He has also struck out just nine times and stolen 31 bases in 34 tries.

Curley Martha, SS, Rangers: Martha first came to prominence as a youngster, when he helped lead Curacao in 2019. Five years later, he signed with Texas and now has earned a spot in the DSL all-star game. As an amateur, he showed a swing geared for line drives, soft hands and the athleticism to stick at shortstop. He’s got a pair of home runs and a dozen stolen bases this season.

The post 12 Players To Watch In The 2024 Dominican Summer League All-Star Game appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.

While there are still many hurdles to get over before MLB players actually suit up to play for a gold medal, both MLBPA executive director Tony Clark and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred spoke during All-Star Game media availability Tuesday about interest in seeing what would have to be done to make that possibility a reality.

Manfred said that, after discussions with Casey Wasserman, CEO of LA2028, he encouraged Wasserman to speak directly to MLB owners about the proposal to allow MLB players to play in the Olympics.

“(Wasserman) did a really nice job, and he was very persuasive,” Manfred said. “I sat with Casey last week. We’re talking about what can be done. What exactly would it look like, what are the compromises that we would have to make in terms of our season. I remain open minded on that topic.”

Manfred said there is “player interest” for the games, and that the American-based location of the 2028 Games is a persuading factor.

“We all know when you’re in Paris (for 2024), they’re probably not gonna build a baseball stadium,” he said. “But when you’re in L.A., it is an opportunity that we need to think about.”

To allow MLB player inclusion in the Olympics would likely require a week or two pause of the MLB schedule (or an allowance to replace the All-Star Week with the Olympics for 2028). Because baseball and softball now are a joint inclusion on the Olympic program and share the same facilities, the baseball schedule for the Olympics is limited to one week.

Clark also showed a willingness to discuss the possibilities.

“The feedback we’ve gotten from players is there is an interest in participating if given an opportunity,” he said. “So, we expect at least as of right now, the players will determine to what extent that needs to be leaned in on. Not just for 2028, but I think it’s probably an important discussion to be had to how 2028 could be a building block toward it being more consistently in the Olympics moving forward.”

Baseball has jumped on and off the Olympics schedule over the past 40 years. It was an exhibition sport in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and a demonstration sport in 1988 in Seoul. It became an official medal sport from 1992 through 2008 before being dropped from the Olympic schedule for 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio. Baseball returned to the calendar when the Olympics were held in Japan, a baseball-loving country, in 2020, but is not part of the 2024 Olympics this year in Paris.

Much like Japan, the sport will be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles because of the ties to baseball in the U.S. Currently, that carries no guarantees for baseball being included in future Olympic programs.

The allowance for MLB players to participate would hypothetically strengthen the case for inclusion of baseball on a more permanent basis. On multiple occasions in the past, the IOC has cited the lack of MLB players as a mark against including baseball in the Olympics.

Japan has paused its NPB season to ensure that Japanese stars can participate in the Olympics. In past Olympics of the 21st century, the U.S. has included MiLB players (as well as the occasional top amateur player) on its roster. The U.S. did not qualify for the 2004 Olympics in baseball.

The post MLB, MLBPA Mulling Idea Of Allowing Big Leaguers To Play In 2028 Olympics appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.

The two briefly then talk about some of the more prominent up-arrow prospects on our recently released midseason top 100 update including: Tigers pure hitter Kevin McGonigle, A’s shortstop and contact savant Jacob Wilson, Rays first baseman Xavier Isaac, Cardinals lefthander Quinn Mathews and Twins righthander Zebby Matthews.

Next Ben breaks down a few standouts from the early parts of the Dominican Summer League season and the two close the show by opening up the listener mailbag. Topics include this year’s Futures Game rosters, the Angels 2024 draft strategy, personal cheeseballs from the 2024 draft class and where the top tier of prospects is in this year’s class.

Time Stamps:

(6:00) 2026 preview
(9:00) Assessing the talent of a draft class
(12:00) How your ideas of players get crystallized
(20:00) The 2024 MLB draft combine
(25:00) Prep standouts at the combine
(30:00) How the combine works
(34:00) The combine’s utility for college players
(39:00) Top 100 updates
(40:00) Kevin McGonigle
(47:00) Jacob Wilson
(52:00) Xavier Isaac
(55:00) Quinn Mathews
(60:00) Zebby Matthews
(1:05:00) DSL standouts
(1:10:00) Futures Game Players To Know
(1:13:00) Angels draft strategy
(1:15:00) Personal cheeseballs
(1:24:00) The tiers of the 2024 draft class

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The post Future Projection Episode 91: Up-Arrow Top 100 Prospects To Know appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.